Personalized Cardiac Recovery Programs

At Los Angeles Heart Specialists, our cardiac rehabilitation program helps patients recover from heart events and procedures with confidence. Through supervised exercise, education, and comprehensive lifestyle support, we help you regain strength, reduce your risk of future cardiac problems, and return to the activities you love.

The Importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation

After a heart attack, heart surgery, or other cardiac event, your body needs time to heal but also needs to rebuild strength. Research consistently shows that patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation:

• Have fewer hospital readmissions
• Experience better quality of life
• Return to work and normal activities faster
• Have lower rates of future cardiac events
• Live longer, healthier lives

Learn about safe exercise guidelines after a heart attack.

Despite these proven benefits, many eligible patients never participate in cardiac rehab. At LA Heart Specialists, we’re committed to making this life-changing program accessible and comfortable for all our cardiac patients.

Who Benefits from Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Our cardiac rehabilitation program is designed for patients who have experienced:

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
• Heart valve repair or replacement
• Coronary angioplasty and stenting
• Heart transplant
• Stable heart failure
• Peripheral artery disease
• Other cardiac conditions limiting physical activity

If you’ve been told you’re a candidate for cardiac rehab, we strongly encourage you to participate. It’s one of the most valuable investments you can make in your recovery and long-term health.

Our Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program

Phase I: Hospital-Based Recovery

For patients recovering from surgery or acute events, rehabilitation begins in the hospital with gentle mobility exercises and education about the recovery process ahead.

Phase II: Outpatient Rehabilitation

This is the core of our program, typically lasting 12 weeks with sessions 2-3 times per week:

Supervised Exercise Training Each session includes medically supervised cardiovascular exercise tailored to your current abilities. Our exercise physiologists and nurses monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, rhythm, and symptoms throughout every session. As you progress, exercise intensity gradually increases to build strength and endurance safely.

Nutritional Counseling Our registered dietitians provide personalized guidance on heart-healthy eating. We help you understand how nutrition affects heart health, create practical meal plans, and develop sustainable eating habits that support your recovery and long-term wellness.

Risk Factor Education Knowledge is power. We provide comprehensive education about:

• How heart disease develops and progresses
• The role of risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes
• Medication purposes, benefits, and proper use
• Warning signs that require medical attention
• Strategies for lifelong heart health

Stress Management Emotional recovery is just as important as physical recovery. Many cardiac patients experience anxiety, depression, or fear after their event. We provide stress management techniques, coping strategies, and support resources to help you navigate the emotional aspects of recovery.

Lifestyle Modification Support Changing long-standing habits is challenging. Our team provides ongoing support and practical strategies for:

• Quitting smoking
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting adequate sleep
• Managing chronic conditions
• Building sustainable exercise habits

Phase III: Maintenance

After completing the intensive program, many patients continue with maintenance exercise sessions. This helps sustain the gains you’ve made and provides ongoing support for your heart-healthy lifestyle.

What to Expect at Your Sessions

A typical cardiac rehabilitation session includes:

1. Pre-exercise assessment: Blood pressure check, brief symptom review, and medication confirmation
2. Warm-up: Gentle stretching and light movement to prepare your body
3. Cardiovascular exercise: 30-45 minutes of monitored aerobic activity on treadmills, bikes, or other equipment
4. Cool-down: Gradual reduction in activity and stretching
5. Education component: Brief lesson on a heart health topic
6. Post-exercise monitoring: Final vital signs check before you leave

Throughout exercise, you wear a heart monitor so our team can observe your heart rhythm and rate. Exercise intensity is carefully controlled and progressed based on your response.

A Safe, Supportive Environment

Many patients feel anxious about exercising after a cardiac event. Our supervised environment provides the safest possible setting to rebuild your fitness:

• Continuous ECG monitoring during exercise
• Immediate access to medical professionals
• Emergency equipment and medications readily available
• Exercise intensity carefully controlled and progressed
• Symptoms promptly addressed

Most patients find their anxiety decreases significantly after just a few sessions as they gain confidence in their body’s ability to handle physical activity.

Getting Started

If you’ve had a recent cardiac event or have been referred for cardiac rehabilitation, here’s how to begin:

1. Get a referral: Your cardiologist or primary care doctor can refer you to our program
2. Insurance verification: We help verify your insurance coverage for cardiac rehab
3. Initial assessment: We conduct comprehensive testing to establish your baseline and design your personalized program
4. Begin your program: Start your journey to recovery with our supportive team

Your Recovery Starts Here

Recovery from a cardiac event doesn’t have to be frightening or overwhelming. With the right support, you can regain your strength, confidence, and quality of life. Contact Los Angeles Heart Specialists today to learn more about our cardiac rehabilitation program and take the first step toward a healthier future.